Good choices, great future: An applied theatre prevention program to reduce alcohol‐related risky behaviours during Schoolies

Quek, Lake-Hui; White, Angela; Low, Christine; Brown, Judith Olans; Dalton, Nigel; Dow, Debbie; Connor, Jason P.

doi:10.1111/j.1465-3362.2012.00453.x

Cited by 22 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Schoolies is synonymous with the consumption of excessive quantities of alcohol 1,2,6,7,10 . This excessive consumption results in alcohol‐related harms for many participants.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…As a result of these high levels of intake, a large majority experienced at least one adverse outcome such as hangover, vomiting, blackout, or unprotected sex 9 . The heaviest drinkers at Schoolies have been found to be males and those who previously consumed alcohol frequently 2,6,9 …”

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confidence: 99%

“…It is reported that risk management strategies are in place in an attempt to minimise adverse outcomes in various celebration locations around the country, 11 but little is known of their nature or their effectiveness. In the WA context, numerous strategies have been implemented to reduce the negative consequences associated with Schoolies celebrations, including education, harm minimisation, and alcohol supply control strategies 4,6 . Education is often provided in schools, while harm minimisation includes strategies such as the provision of ‘recovery tents’ in Schoolies areas.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…[1][2][3][4] It is recognised as a rite of passage that typically involves Leavers travelling to holiday destinations where they congregate in large numbers to mark the end of their secondary schooling and the commencement of a more independent stage of life. [5][6][7] These celebrations can last from a few days to a few weeks. 8 The 'Schoolies' ritual has been well-entrenched for many decades on the Gold Coast in Queensland, and more recently has also become common in Western Australia (WA).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Understanding and addressing the Schoolies phenomenon

Pettigrew¹,

Biagioni²,

Daube³

et al. 2015

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objective: This study qualitatively explored Western Australian school leavers' alcohol-related experiences during the Schoolies period to generate insights for the purpose of intervention design. This is in the context of an impending change in the age of Western Australian students completing secondary school which, for the first time, will see around half being of legal age to purchase alcohol.Method: Fifty-four 18-21-year-olds provided reflections via an emailed introspection on their experiences in the immediate post-school period. This provided access to the views of those who chose to attend events and consume large amounts of alcohol, those who attended events but refrained from excessive alcohol consumption, and those who elected to either avoid Schoolies events or engage in alternative celebrations. The data were coded and analysed using NVivo10.Results: Three primary themes were identified that related to the perceived role of alcohol during Schoolies, the range of associated rite-of-passage rituals, and the strategies used by some Leavers to avoid alcohol and its consequences during the Schoolies period. Conclusion:Students and parents constitute important target groups for interventions designed to address alcohol-related harms during Schoolies. In the WA context, legislation on secondary supply and controlled purchase, as recommended by health and police authorities, could reduce harms that are likely to result from the change in the age of school leavers. Suggestions for alternative pastimes to promote to school leavers are provided.

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“…Schoolies is synonymous with the consumption of excessive quantities of alcohol 1,2,6,7,10 . This excessive consumption results in alcohol‐related harms for many participants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Understanding and addressing the Schoolies phenomenon

Pettigrew¹,

Biagioni²,

Daube³

et al. 2015

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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“…In an 5 attempt to change drinking behaviours during SF on the Gold Coast, Quek et al (2012) investigated the impact of a theatre program aimed at reducing drinking and other risk-taking behaviours during SF. The authors employed diversionary activities but found that these had little or no effect on Schoolies drinking behaviours at this event.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

What are school leavers’ priorities for festival preparation?

Hutton

Cusack

Zannettino

et al. 2015

Aust. J. Prim. Health

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This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative research study that explored how young people prepared to minimise and/or avoid alcohol related harm while attending a Schoolies Festival (SF). Schoolies Festivals are mass gatherings at which young people (Schoolies) celebrate their graduation from high school. The attendance of Schoolies, in various Australian communities, ranges between 10,000 to 30,000 individuals during the event. The literature suggests that Schoolies are at higher than normal risk of harm at SF from misuse of alcohol, unsafe sex, aggressive behaviour, and other risk taking factors. As a result of these concerns, Schoolies' organizers developed an infrastructure that treat harm, on-site care (first aid stations) staffed by St. John's Ambulance. This study used focus groups to identify strategies employed by Schoolies to avoid alcohol related harm during SF. Data revealed that Schoolies did not actively seek health information prior to attending the event and did not display an interest in doing so.It is important to note that Schoolies planned to use alcohol to celebrate and have a good time. Therefore a harm minimisation approach with a focus on providing the necessary infrastructure at a SFs to minimise the dangers associated with excess alcohol use is important. Schoolies indicated that they had no desire for information about hazards of alcohol ingestion. If any health messages were to be used by health authorities, it would be far more appropriate to target the message to 'take care of your mate' to contribute to building a supportive environment at the event.This may be of more benefit to minimise harm at SF than funding other health messages. Literature Review 4School Leavers Festivals are often referred to as 'a rite of passage' from youth to the community of adulthood at the end of secondary education (Winchester, McGuirk, & Everett, 1999;Sande, 2002). Reports from SFs in South Australia and Queensland state that most Schoolies expect to be drunk most/every night of the holidays. In the majority of cases, these expectations were met (Smith and Rosenthal 1997). The festival is characterised as 'risky' and involves excessive levels of alcohol consumption and high risk behaviours, coupled with a party atmosphere.Additionally, the incidence of risky behaviour by males is higher than females There are however, differing views reported in the literature on the value of health information and activities to reduce alcohol consumption by young people. In an 5 attempt to change drinking behaviours during SF on the Gold Coast, Quek et al (2012) investigated the impact of a theatre program aimed at reducing drinking and other risk-taking behaviours during SF. The authors employed diversionary activities but found that these had little or no effect on Schoolies drinking behaviours at this event. This finding supported Salom et al (2005) who asserted that unless Schoolies expect/want to drink less, the behaviour will not change. Rew and Horner (2002) report that knowledge is necessa...

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